Greece has suspended all national league and local cup tournaments after an arson attack on refereeing chief Giorgos Bikas.

The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) made the announcement on Wednesday following the arson attack early on Wednesday in Halkidiki, northern Greece.

Bikas is reportedly safe and his family as they were away from the burnt property.

“Following an extraordinary meeting, the EPO announces its decision for the suspension of all national football championships until the conclusion of the investigation into the causes of the fire by the fire services.

“The EPO expresses its full compassion to Mr Giorgos Bikas, whom we will support in every way possible,” the EPO said in a statement following the incident.

The incident comes after Giorgos Tsachilidis was threatened by two men leading to the resignation of all three members that constituted the refereeing committee (KED). The football season was moved forward by two weeks following dispute between the Greek government, the EPO, and top Greek clubs. Continue Reading

The coach of the Italian national side CesarePrandelli admitted in saying Mario Balotelli still has a chance to be called up and to perform for the Italian team in the international stage but that he has to earn it.

If Mario Balotelli wants to make a return to the Italian side, he has to prove to CesarePrandelli that he has changed and that he truly deserves to represent his country. The last time that Balotelli played for Italy was back in the 2014 World Cup in the first round of this international competition.

Italy’s CesarePrandelli said: “The doors to the national team are not closed for anyone. But you have to deserve to be part of this team, via performances, behavior and moral aspects which we believe a lot in. It’s up to Balotelli to deserve an eventual return. “It’s up to Balotelli to deserve an eventual return,”

Throughout his career, Balotelli has built a reputation of being a player who gets angered easily and does not like to follow instructions. There have been occasions when Balotelli has received a red card or a sanction due to his behavior and this one of the things that he has been mostly critiqued but according to Ac.Milan’s CEO Adriano Galliani, Balotelli has experienced a radical change since arriving to San Siro. Continue Reading